| Allergies can create sinus and ear congestion that can | | | | A trained herbalist can also formulate a custom tea |
| lead to infection and great discomfort. | | | | to match your specific body constitution to help |
| Essential Oils | | | | balance the immunity system to minimize allergic |
| Essential oils can be very helpful. | | | | reactions. Keep in mind that unlike pharmaceutical |
| Add 1 teaspoon of eucalyptus oil in a small pot of | | | | antihistamines, it takes three to seven days to see |
| water-bring to boil, then reduce burner to simmer to | | | | the results with herbs as they work more gently and |
| diffuse the essence of the eucalyptus. Be sure to | | | | slowly. Thus, they do not have side effects such as |
| check water level after 10-15 minutes. You can | | | | excessive dryness or drowsiness. |
| diffuse oils up to one hour. Refresh the pot with | | | | Many clients take astragalus or echinacea to stimulate |
| more oil after one hour. This method is particularly | | | | their immunity systems. However, allergic reactions |
| helpful for alleviating congested sinuses and relieving | | | | are about the immunity system being over active. |
| scratchy, dry throat due to allergies because it puts | | | | So, I do not recommend taking astragalus, echinacea, |
| moisture in the air. | | | | or other immuno-stimulants when allergic reactions |
| Also, you can put several drops of eucalyptus drops | | | | are present, as symptoms may a increase. |
| on a cotton ball and insert into ear lightly (not deep | | | | Irrigation |
| into the canal as it can get stuck or cause infections). | | | | Many of my clients have found neti pot irrigation |
| The fumes from the eucalyptus will then penetrate | | | | helpful during the oak or cedar season for this |
| the sinuses deeply. Keep in the ears for no longer | | | | method washes away the pollen from the mucus |
| than 15 minutes. Myrtle essential oil natural | | | | membranes. The key is preparing a very mild saline |
| antihistamines-when applied to cotton balls and placed | | | | solution and using warm (not hot or cold) water. |
| lightly in the ears, it can also provide relief. | | | | When done correctly, irrigation can relieve congestion, |
| Or you can add 1 teaspoon of either oil to water to | | | | but when done incorrectly it can drive infection |
| diffuse in a manner similar to the method for diffusing | | | | deeper or create congestion. |
| eucalyptus oil above. | | | | After performing irrigation, I find it very helpful to |
| Dietary Help | | | | bend over from the waist and twist from side to |
| Reducing sugar in the diet, diary products, and foods | | | | side to help the excess water drain out, then blow |
| that aggravate inflammation such as peppers, | | | | nose very gently. When done properly, irrigation |
| tomatoes and other members of the nightshade | | | | should not sting or add to the sensation of |
| family, can help. Ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom help | | | | congestion. |
| to clear phlegm naturally. Celestial Seasonings makes | | | | If you feel any fullness or increased congestion after |
| a wonderful spice tea called "Bengal Spice" that is | | | | irrigation, put eucalyptus oil (two to three drops) on a |
| caffeine free and contains many of the spices | | | | cotton ball that has been moistened with witch hazel, |
| associated with clearing mucus. | | | | into the ears. Witch hazel is an astringent so can help |
| Herbal Help | | | | to draw out excess fluid-but do not use in irrigation |
| Chinese herbs such as "pe min kan wan" or "bi yan | | | | solutions or it will irritate passages. |
| pian" can help increase circulation and reduce | | | | Tilt head, by placing right ear to shoulder encouraging |
| dampness (mucus) to relieve symptoms. They also | | | | fluids to drain into the cotton ball. Then tilt the left |
| act as natural antihistamines. Nettle leaf extract is | | | | ear to shoulder and allow fluids to drain. Remove the |
| also a natural antihistamine. | | | | cotton balls immediately. |